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This is Hard Talk with me, Sean Lay.

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Welcome to Hard Talk on the BBC World Service with me, Sean Lay.

In 2001, the Taliban was driven from power in Kabul by Western troops,

punishment for shielding Osama bin Laden, the architect of the mass

murders in the United States, known to history as 9-11.

Nowadays, US officials are sitting down for peace negotiations, and there's talk of an agreement.

Amrana Saleh is a skeptic.

A few days ago, Mr. Saleh, the former spy chief in Afghanistan, registered to run as Ashraf Ghani's number two in this summer's election.

Mr Ghani thinks the Taliban can play a role in politics.

Why is his running mate so sceptical?

Amrana Saleh, welcome to hard talk.

Zalme Khalid, the US envoy who's been in Kabul in the last few days, has delivered the news that after

17 years of fighting peace with the Taliban could be in sight. You must be delighted.

Well, you are right. The demand for peace is in the vines of every Afghan, but it is the modality

of how we negotiate and also what type of peace we achieve is controversial.

Do you agree with President Ashraf Ghani that the Taliban could enter mainstream politics?

Absolutely. We have never opposed any group to become mainstream politics,

regardless of what type of politics they pursue.

As long as they don't resort to violence and intimidation, of course, they are most welcome to become a mainstream political entity.

It must be frustrating, though, for you as a former Directorate of the Security Agency,

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